By Parag Chitnis
The University of Wyoming is Wyoming’s land-grant university -- a designation grounded
in federal legislation and the state’s constitutional mandate. The Morrill Act of
1862 granted lands in each state to establish public universities for promoting “the
liberal and practical education of the industrial classes in the several pursuits
and professions in life.” These universities were established with a tripartite mission
of education, research and extension/engagement. As Wyoming’s land-grant university,
UW serves Wyoming by providing accessible, high-quality education; conducting research
that directly addresses state needs; and engaging with communities and industries
to promote prosperity.
Faculty, staff and students at UW conduct research across disciplines essential to
Wyoming’s future. Agriculture contributes $2.5 billion annually to the state’s economy.
As UW researchers project potential losses exceeding $100 million annually from invasive
weeds in grazing and crop lands if left unmanaged, UW leads a multistate team to devise
strategies for controlling invasive species in the high plains’ rangelands and providing
practical strategies for ranch management. In another area, UW researchers recently
launched a Controlled Environment Agriculture Network, bringing together scientists,
producers and industry partners to develop food-production technologies suited to
Wyoming’s weather. These research directions address current needs of Wyoming’s agriculture
and explore future enhancements and strategies.
UW’s research is discovering ways to enhance viability of Wyoming’s energy and mining
sector. At the Center of Innovation in Flow through Porous Media, researchers are
identifying ways to enhance oil recovery from Wyoming’s geological assets. In doing
so, they are collaborating with and receiving funding from oil industry partners that
operate in Wyoming. At UW’s School of Energy Resources, innovative research is finding
alternative uses for Wyoming’s coal and coal byproducts. Additionally, UW’s faculty
and students are addressing new opportunities in critical minerals exploration and
processing as well as in uranium supply chain opportunities -- areas of growing strategic
importance.
Natural resource management is another strength. Animal migration research at UW focuses
on mapping and understanding hoofed mammal migrations, with key areas including how
animals learn their routes; the role of experience versus genetics; and ensuring that
development can move forward in coexistence with important migration corridors. UW
researchers have led national and global initiatives in animal migration, while focusing
on elk, mule deer, pronghorn and other ungulate migration in Wyoming. This is one
of the examples of UW’s commitment to advance knowledge about natural resource management
so that Wyoming’s natural resources continue to serve its agriculture, energy and
outdoor recreation industries while conserving them for generations of future Wyomingites.
Besides the research and economic engagement activities relevant to Wyoming’s industries,
UW is conducting projects to improve the quality of life in Wyoming’s rural and remote
communities by research and engagement in areas such as rural health, business, tourism
and hospitality, and law. For example, UW’s Firearms Research Center recently received
a federal grant to expand its educational activities about the Second Amendment, a
topic close to Wyomingites’ hearts.
UW’s engagement work furthers our land-grant mission. For more than a century, UW
Extension has served every county, delivering science-based programming in agriculture,
youth development and community well-being. Beyond that, Manufacturing Works assists
Wyoming’s manufacturers in adopting new technologies and improving efficiency. The
Wyoming Small Business Development Center supports entrepreneurs with planning, finance
and market access. UW’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation enables entrepreneurship
as a part of student education and experience. Similarly, UW’s IMPACT 307 fosters
startup growth and innovation.
These engagement efforts are not peripheral -- they are integral. Research informs
them; education prepares the trained workforce; and economic development grows from
real partnerships with industry, government and community organizations.
The growth in UW’s research and service enterprise is impressive. The state’s generous
support of UW not only allows it to ensure its education remains accessible, but it
also provides foundations for its research and engagement/extension activities. UW’s
faculty, staff and students leverage this support. In fiscal year 2023, external grants
and contracts for research and engagement activities totaled $120 million; in 2024,
$150 million; and in 2025, the university received a record $183 million. These resources
support not only knowledge creation, but also practical benefits for Wyoming communities.
Thus, research and engagement activities are integral to UW’s mission and contribute
to the diversification of revenue sources and financial sustainability of the university.
UW’s recent Carnegie R1 classification recognizes UW’s research excellence.
Education, research and engagement are not separate pieces -- they are woven together in UW’s DNA. UW enriches student experiences through research and industrial internships, empowers communities through extension and technical assistance, and advances economic vitality through collaboration with industry and community organizations.
In classrooms and labs in Laramie, and across research sites around Wyoming, UW fulfills
its original mission: providing accessible and affordable education for the public
while conducting research and engagement to address Wyoming’s needs. The University
of Wyoming remains steadfast in its promise -- proudly Wyoming relevant, ardently
nationally competitive and unquestionably globally preeminent.
Simply put, UW is -- and must remain -- the University for Wyoming.
Parag Chitnis is the vice president for research and economic development at the University of Wyoming.
